China reappoints Xi Jinping as president with no term limit

BEIJING, China — Over the weekend, China’s legislature unanimously approved the reappointment of Xi Jinping as president with no limit on the number of terms he can serve.The National People’s Congress also appointed close Xi ally Wang Qishan to the formerly ceremonial post of vice-president.

The 64-year-old, Xi Jinping, is considered the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong. Xi’s reappointment was approved by all 2,970 members of the NPC in attendance, while there was only one vote against Wang’s appointment.

Xi, who leads the ruling Communist party, was also reappointed as head of the government commission that commands the military. He is already head of an identical party body overseeing the armed forces.

Chinese officials defended the move, saying it would bring the presidency in line with Xi’s positions as head of the party and commander of the armed forces.

On Saturday, #XiJinping
was unanimously elected as the president of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the chairman of the Central Military Commission of the PRC. pic.twitter.com/MUr0G1y4KD